In May 1946 John Caldwell set out to sail from Panama to Sydney to reunite with his wife who he hadnt seen for more than a year. Eager to reach his destination and unable to secure any other form of transport, he had to resort to singlehanded seamanship.
After an ignominious scene in the harbor, where a tangled anchor led him to take an early dip, he spent ten days learning the rudiments of navigation and sailing from a book, before embarking on the 9,000 mile journey aboard the 20-foot Pagan. Ahead lay a mission that was to reveal in him elements not only of astounding courage and determination, but also of incredible foolhardiness. Within 500 miles of Panama John Caldwell had already been shipwrecked once and had his boats engine and cockpit destroyed by an angry shark. Indefatigable, he decided to press on towards his goal.He endured the terrors and discomforts of life on the high seas and enjoyed the triumphs of fighting and winning against the elements.
This is more than an exciting tale of sea-adventure. It is as compelling and unpredictable as a thriller. It is the story, witty and moving, of a man, motivated initially by love, and ultimately by his own fierce determination to survive.
John Caldwell went on to graduate from the University of California Santa Barbara. He sailed all over the world with his wife Mary and their two sons. While sailing in the Caribbean he caught a glimpse of his dream island, Prune Island. He obtained a 99-year lease on the island, planted palms, renamed it Palm Island and established his own resort. The rest of his life was spent sailing around the islands he loved and sharing his passion with lucky visitors to his Caribbean paradise.
Cutter Pagan
Plan of Pagan
Map of the voyage
About the Author
I. Preparation
II. Departure
III. Practice
IV. Confidence
V. Sunk!
VI. Castaway
VII. Adventure
VIII. Overboard
IX. Malpelo Isle
X. Navigation
XI. Crew
XII. Unenchanted Isles!
XIII. Post Office Bay
XIV. Trade Winds
XV. Devilfish
XVI. Hurricane
XVII. Dismasted
XVIII. Jury Rig
XIX. Lost
XX. Foodless
XXI. Starvation and Land
XXII. Rescue
XXIII. Tuvutha
XXIV. Going Native
XXV. A Sail!
XXVI. Australia
A must read for all would-be voyagers. — Latitude 38
[An] astounding tale of courage and adventure....an engaging, well-written story that combines elements of romance with incredible adventure, farce and foolhardiness. If ever there was an argument for the benefits of sail training, this book cements it. Riveting stuff. — Sailing Today
One of the classic How I did it on a shoe-string in an unsuitable boat, knowing nothing about sailing books....A good read and hooray for the days when people could do this sort of thing without attracting condemnation. — The Island
